FEAST OF ST MATTHEW, SEPTEMBER 21, 2024

Caravaggio’s famous painting of The Call is in Rome at the Church of St Louis of the French.

MASS READINGS:

Gospel

Mt 9:9-13

As Jesus passed by,

he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the customs post.

He said to him, "Follow me."

And he got up and followed him.

While he was at table in his house,

many tax collectors and sinners came

and sat with Jesus and his disciples.

The Pharisees saw this and said to his disciples,

"Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?"

He heard this and said,

"Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do.

Go and learn the meaning of the words,

I desire mercy, not sacrifice.

I did not come to call the righteous but sinners."

REFLECTION

"Follow me."

St Matthew is known for the Magi story, Sermon on the Mount, the Last Judgment of the sheep and goats, and the risen Lord giving the command to "make disciples of all nations."

In Year A almost every Sunday is taken from St Matthew. His book in the New Testament is the longest.

His community predominantly was made up of Jewish Christians.

His name in Hebrew means “gift of God”. His is the first canonical Gospel written in the Hebrew or Aramaic language.

Matthew or Levi before his conversion is the one described in Matthew, Mark and Luke as the man sitting at the tax office. Jesus calls him, “Follow me”. Immediately before this call, Jesus performed a miracle in Capernaum. St Matthew was a tax collector in Capernaum along the Sea of Galilee.

He was regarded a public sinner because of his work for a foreign country, extorting money and obtaining unjustly monies from the Jews. Yet, he was welcomed by Jesus and the apostles.

According to Pope Benedict, in the Gospel of Matthew, “there is a paradox: those who seem to be the farthest from holiness, can even become a model of the acceptance of God’s mercy and offer a glimpse of its marvelous effects in their own lives”

And he rose and followed him and left all behind. He is a persuasive voice proclaiming God's saving mercy to us. Jesus calls us to repentance, to follow Him. There is no sin so great that it cannot obtain pardon from God.

(1) Benedict XVI, General audience, Paul VI Audience Hall, Wednesday, 30 August 2006.

Have a great day!

God Bless You